Success Story · Fabrication

Fabrication Backlog Reduction

NVI mobilized resources from across the company to take on a backlog of 1,200 welds and delivered a performance that set us apart in front of the client and the competition.

Cargo cranes and industrial equipment at a seaport terminal

~500Welds completed by NVI

~300Combined by three competitors

<700Backlog target achieved

24/7Continuous shift coverage

16NVI field technicians

The Story

Reducing a backlog of 1,200 welds

Over Memorial Day weekend, NVI joined several other NDT providers in a large scale shooting project aimed at reducing a backlog of roughly 1,200 welds spread across multiple modules at a major fabrication yard. The goal was clear: drive the outstanding weld count below 700 and help the client regain momentum on a critical project.

To make it happen, the facility shut down yard operations for the holiday weekend and scheduled NDT crews to work around the clock. What began as a production recovery effort quickly became a true test of planning, communication, and execution.

As the in house provider and current contract holder, NVI recognized that the project presented an opportunity to demonstrate the value of a trusted partner during a critical phase of the project. Our management team responded quickly, allocating personnel and resources from across the company and executing a strategic plan that reflected the family culture, commitment, and accountability that define NVI. Rather than simply participating in the project, the team approached the challenge with a clear objective: deliver exceptional results for the client and help drive the project forward.

Throughout the project, NVI led not just in production but also in organization and communication. Using live weld tracking spreadsheets and NVIsion, shared directly with the client, the team provided real time updates on production status, repairs, reporting, and image access. This visibility allowed the client to track progress continuously and ensured decisions could be made quickly as the project advanced.

Project Results

Results and project impact

Large orange cargo crane at an industrial port terminal

~500Welds completed

<700Final backlog target

NVI completed approximately 500 welds, while the other three companies combined finished roughly 300. Even more impressive, NVI achieved those results while carrying some of the most challenging work scopes in the yard. The team was primarily assigned module welds requiring multistory deck access, scaffold navigation, and complex working conditions, while many competitor crews worked more accessible welds in fabrication laydown yards and lower level deck areas.

While the production numbers were significant, the true success of the project was helping the client achieve its objective. Every weld completed moved the project closer to reducing the backlog, recovering production schedules, and positioning the project for continued progress. By responding quickly, staying organized, and maintaining constant communication, NVI became an extension of the client’s team and played a key role in helping the client reach its goals.

Most importantly, this accomplishment was made possible by the dedication of the employees in the field. Long hours and an aggressive production schedule required every individual involved to remain focused on safety, quality, and execution. Their commitment demonstrated what can be achieved when leadership, technicians, and support personnel work together toward a common objective.

The project achieved its objective of reducing the backlog and helping the project regain momentum. Through strong execution, clear communication, and a commitment to supporting the client’s goals, NVI played an important role in helping move the project forward. The effort reflected the values that define our organization every day: teamwork, accountability, and a commitment to getting the job done right.

NVI completed about 67% more welds than the other three companies combined.

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